We always encourage attendees on our Mountain Training qualification courses to join the Mountain Training Association. It is a very worthwhile membership organisation for all climbing, walking and mountain leaders and instructors in the UK and Ireland. It’s designed for all candidates of any of our qualifications – walking leaders, climbing instructors, coaches and/or camping leaders…
Five Road Trip Essentials One of the greatest traditions and pleasures of the outdoor life is the road trip. Sleeping on the back seat of your car or bivouacking on the side of the road. Or the ultimate road trip luxury of a camper van or RV. What’s important isn’t what you accomplished, it’s how…
How to Buy a Down Jacket The longest night has now passed and we move slowly towards the Spring. In the remaining winter months we reach for our insulated jackets. We have two choices: down or synthetic. Both options have pro and cons. Synthetic is cheaper and more forgiving in wet conditions ie synthetic will…
A review of the Nortent Vern 1 Tent When I first saw the Nortent Vern 1 I was immediately intrigued, low and sleek, it just looked different. I’ve long been a fan of tents in which one sleeps side to the door. This design allows a bigger door and a better view of the outdoors…
PHD The Worlds Lightest Down Clothing If you spend any time wandering around the worlds highest mountains you might see a flash of an unfamiliar logo or the same logo seen in a picture of someone stood atop a 8000m Himalayan mountain. In the deserts, hills and mountains the same logo is seen on those…
Top Ten Gear and Equipment Reviews of 2022 Our blog and equipment reviews have been very popular over the last few months. Everyone loves outdoor kit and we love reading about the best equipment. Looking through the stats these are our most popular kit blogs of the year and our top ten gear and equipment…
Hati’s favourite gear of 2023 This was a year of attempted gear streamlining, which does not come naturally to my womble instincts. But alas, in a bid to minimise consuming, save a bit of money and instil some peace in my household, I have been most careful in what I acquire and where I acquire…
Rab Mythic Ultra Down Jacket First Impressions The timing of the arrival of this jacket couldn’t have been better. The forecasters had been warning of arctic weather arriving throughout the UK and as the temperature plummeted the Mythic Ultra down jacket was delivered by a chilly looking postman. My first thoughts were how light the…
Alex’s Top 5 Best Items of Gear in 2023. Another very active year! Beyond the Edge has been busy delivering our usual selection of walking, climbing and mountaineering training courses. As usual my kit has been used all day everyday and as usual has received a good battering. These are my top 5 Best Items of…
Rab Solar Ultra 1 Sleeping Bag First Impressions The Rab Solar Ultra 1 Sleeping Bag is very well made lightweight and high performance synthetic sleeping bag. Perfect for spring and summer bivouacs, tarp camping and mountain wild camps. My first sleeping bag had a synthetic fill and I used it for all my early hill and mountain…
Klean Kanteen TKPro Flask Review The weather over the last few weeks has been typically wintery ie driving wind, rain and sleet or lovely crisp frosty days dry but very cold. Here at Beyond the Edge our outdoor courses will continue to run right up to Christmas. Then in January, February and March we will be…
Choosing Gloves and Clothing for Scottish Winter Walking and Mountaineering As we head out into the hills this winter either for trekking, walking, mountaineering or climbing we need to make important decisions that will impact both our enjoyment and safety. We will check the weather and the avalanche forecast. We will prepare our maps and…